Indianapolis, IN – Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug, Zepbound, has shown promising results in reducing obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, according to a recent announcement by the drugmaker.
Obstructive sleep apnea, a condition affecting approximately 39 million adults in the U.S., occurs when a person’s upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, leading to disruptions in airflow throughout the night. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute states that obesity, by narrowing the airway, can increase the risk of developing this serious condition.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in heart arrhythmias, heart failure, and even death. Therefore, finding effective treatments for this condition is crucial in improving the quality of life for affected individuals.
Eli Lilly conducted two studies examining the efficacy of Zepbound in adults with obesity and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The findings, though not yet published in a medical journal or reviewed by outside scientists, indicate a significant reduction in the number of breathing interruptions during sleep for participants using Zepbound compared to a placebo.
The researchers observed that after 52 weeks, Zepbound led to an average reduction of 27.4 events per hour in individuals not using positive airway pressure (PAP) machines, and 30.4 events per hour in those using PAP machines. Additionally, participants on Zepbound experienced about a 20% weight loss, potentially contributing to the decrease in sleep apnea events.
Dr. Jeff Emmick, Lilly’s senior vice president for product development, expressed optimism about the drug’s potential as a pharmaceutical treatment for sleep apnea. Dr. Susan Spratt, an endocrinologist at Duke Health, commended the research, emphasizing the importance of addressing obesity as a significant health concern rather than a cosmetic issue.
These findings may lead to increased insurance coverage for weight loss drugs, as demonstrated by Medicare’s recent decision to cover Wegovy for certain patients to reduce heart disease risk. Eli Lilly plans to unveil additional details of the study results at the American Diabetes Association conference in June and submit the findings to the Food and Drug Administration later in the year.